Francini-Pontier

Historical background

Both born in Zárate, a town some 100 kilometres north of Buenos Aires on the Paraná river, violinist Enrique Francini and bandoneonist Armando Pontier first played together in Juan Ehlert's local orchestra before moving to the capital in 1937 for Radio Prieto. In 1939 both joined the orchestra Miguel Caló had just formed, where they stayed six years. On 1 September 1945 they founded their own orchestra at the opening of the Tango Bar, on Corrientes Avenue, with pianist Juan José Paz, violinist Francini, and singers Raúl Berón and Alberto Podestá. Hired immediately by Radio El Mundo, they cut their first Victor disc on 29 January 1946 ("Sirva otra copa" and "Margo," both sung by Podestá) and built a young, enthusiastic following at venues like the Piccadilly and the Ebro Bar.

The arrival of arranger Argentino Galván preceded the orchestra's major success at the Tibidabo cabaret in 1947, where its distinctive sound came together. Of the 130 sides they recorded, highlights include "El ciruja," Julio Sosa's first Argentine recording, plus "A los amigos," "Alma de bohemio" and "Tema otoñal," an instrumental composed by Francini himself. The orchestra split amicably in 1955 - Jorge Palacio (Faruk) later wrote that the break-up was not only friendly but beneficial for tango, since important new orchestras were born out of that split. Francini briefly led his own band before joining Astor Piazzolla's Octeto Buenos Aires; he died on stage on 27 August 1978, at the Caño 14, mid-performance of "Nostalgias." Pontier, for his part, kept leading his own orchestra until his death in 1983.

Source: Ricardo García Blaya, "Orquesta Tipica Francini-Pontier" and "Enrique Francini," Todotango.com, https://www.todotango.com/english/history/chronicle/490/Orquesta-Tipica-Francini-Pontier/ ; https://www.todotango.com/english/artists/biography/701/Enrique-Francini/.